Cricket review: Burnley build big lead in title race
· Andy Moore · 2026-08-11 · nguồn gốc
Cricket review: Burnley build big lead in title race and Lowerhouse win too
Skipper stands out as Burnley defeat Norden
Burnley Cricket Club moved 26 points clear at the top of the Lancashire League with a three-wicket home win over Norden.
The Burnley captain and professional Ockert Erasmus starred with bat and ball on Saturday as the Rochdale side chose to bat and were removed for 174 with two balls remaining.
Opener Dominic Humphreys was the top scorer with 50 but Erasmus kept the visitors in check with 4-44.
The skipper then led the Burnley reply with 40 after Liam Bedford got the ball rolling with 37 and victory was sealed at 175-7 with 10 balls to spare, despite 4-48 for Dom Bess.
Norden have been replaced in third spot by Ramsbottom, who host Burnley on Sunday.
Burnley's position at the top with five games to play was strengthened by second-placed Walsden's four-wicket defeat at Todmorden, who had beaten Lowerhouse the previous week.
House bounced back with a thrilling three-run victory at Greenmount.
Number seven Leagam De Vries was top scorer with 40, putting on 65 for the sixth wicket with Shaukat Ali (34) as Lowerhouse reached 208 in 41.1 overs, Amal Dalugoda removing all the top four.
But despite opener Jacques Snyman scoring 66, with all but four of those runs in boundaries, Greenmount fell just short at 205 after 39 overs.
Lowerhouse stand fifth but are only five points behind second-placed Walsden ahead of Sunday's home game against a Littleborough side battling relegation.
In division two, Nelson moved to within three points of second-placed Crompton after a seven-wicket victory at Church & Oswaldtwistle.
The hosts reached 223-8 after an opening stand of 98 between Toby Gargan (60) and Craig Fergusson (41) but it was Sahan Gunasisnghe who topped the scoring with 67 as Tyler McGladdery took 4-40.
Captain McGladdery then scored 51 and share a third-wicket stand of 114 with Neil Thompson, who finished 84 not out as Nelson wrapped up the win at 226-3 with 6.2 overs in hand.
This Saturday Nelson host Colne, who are also in winning form after a 31-run home win over Rishton.
Geeth Kumara's unbeaten 89 steered Colne to 217-7 (Afaq Ali Sartaj 4-76) before Rishton’s reply closed at 186-8 despite the best efforts of Kieren Grimshaw (80 not out).
Colne stand fifth and are 20 points behind third-placed Nelson, who trail leaders Accrington by 10.
Burnley have said farewell to popular player Aarav Heerkar, who is relocating to Australia with his family.
The opener's 86 in his final game for the second XI against Nelson took him to 1,000 runs for the season. Aarav leaves with the very best wishes of the club, having also played for the first and third teams.